on Hypertext, copyright protection

I spent time reading the Jews Daughter, by Judd Morrissey.  I find the concept of hypertext exciting and full of possibilities, but this work leaves me cold.  It is not well written, nor is the story engaging.  The hypertext features do not flow, and leave me wondering where to read next.  When I pass over the link, the page changes, whether I wanted it to or not – very disappointing.  Once the text changed, I wondered, should I go back to the beginning, or continue from there?  I wanted to lay my head down on the railroad tracks and end the misery!  (OK, not that bad, I just clicked out of the story and ended the misery.)

When I think of hypertext, I envision a text with hyperlinks that takes you to other documents or sites, perhaps by another author.  The links add dimension to the text, perhaps explaining a meaning of a word or concept, or link to another text related to the one you are reading. 

There are obvious concerns about hypertext and copywrite protection, ownership of the work.    As Devoss and Porter say, there is widespread confusion as to what constitutes appropriate use of copright-protected materials… Not surprisingly, there is also deep confusion as to what is “right” when using the words and works of another.   Since these issues have yet to be worked out, I am going to err on the side of caution, and seek permission before linking someone’s work within my own.  And, talk about timing – is it a coincidence that Rowan just sent out warnings to students about file sharing (DMCA e-mail) and we have been asked to read  Devoss and Porter for WEC – timing is everything! 

That said, I would have loved to have read some of the works used in Writing for Electronic Communities in the hypertext genre.  Especially if the linked information defined the terms and theories described within the text.  If that is the future, I’m up for that!  If the future is the Jews Daughter, I’ll pass.